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Novel Catalog
Chapter 86
Mandy’s frustration only grew as she processed the assistant director’s words. She was already irritated by the recent news about Zoe’s endorsement, and now the additional frustration of working under Jay Parker made her feel even more disrespected. The last time she had encountered Jay at Alan Levine’s birthday party, he had barely acknowledged her. She couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was always condescending toward her, especially considering the privilege of her background and her family’s investment in her career.
When Jay arrived and the shooting began, Mandy could barely contain her irritation. His critique, blunt and unapologetic, hit her like a ton of bricks. For someone with her reputation, being called out so harshly by a director—especially someone as notoriously professional as Jay Parker—was beyond embarrassing. His comment about her costume and overall appearance felt like a personal attack, undermining everything she had worked for in the industry.
But things quickly escalated. When Mandy, feeling cornered and humiliated, lunged at him in a fit of anger, she didn’t anticipate the tragic consequences. The scaffolding, already unstable, collapsed under the force of the impact, and the steel pipes came tumbling down toward her. The entire set froze as the situation went from bad to worse.
Jay, without hesitation, sprang into action, shoving Mandy out of the way and taking the full brunt of the collapsing structure himself. The force of the falling pipes landed squarely on Jay’s back, knocking him to the ground with a loud, sickening crash. His body absorbed the impact, shielding Mandy from the worst of it, but the scene that followed was pure chaos. Mandy, now shaken to the core, could only stare in disbelief at the man who had just saved her life, even after she had caused the whole mess.
It was a dramatic shift in their dynamic. For someone like Mandy, who had always been used to being in control and having the upper hand, this moment exposed her vulnerability. She had pushed Jay to the edge, and now, with him lying beneath the wreckage, her anger turned to guilt.
Jay groaned, clearly in pain, but managed to push himself upright, his face twisted with effort. “Get a medic,” he barked at the crew, his tone laced with authority despite his condition.
Mandy, still in shock, stumbled toward him, guilt flooding her system. “Jay… I—I didn’t mean for this to happen,” she stammered, her voice softer than it had ever been.
Jay gave her a piercing look, but instead of responding harshly, he simply said, “Don’t make a scene.” His voice was strained, but there was a cold calmness to it that left no room for pity or apologies. He had done what was necessary, and he expected nothing in return.
The crew quickly rushed to assist, and Mandy, still in a state of shock, was left standing there, realizing the true cost of her actions. But the impact of the incident didn’t just end with the physical aftermath. Jay’s bravery had shifted the balance between them, and Mandy, for the first time, understood that she had underestimated him.
Meanwhile, in the entertainment world, Zoe’s signing with Starstream continued to stir up headlines. The endorsement deal was more than just a business move—it was a statement. For Zoe, it wasn’t about working with a small brand; it was about challenging the status quo, proving that even underdogs could rise to the top.
In the midst of all the noise, Kyle’s frustration reached its peak. The deal with Starstream had turned the tables, and while he continued to scowl at his office desk, his thoughts were clouded with resentment toward Cordy. What could she possibly gain from this new alliance? It wasn’t just about the business; it was personal, and Kyle could feel that more than ever.
But amid all the turmoil, there was one thing that was certain: this was just the beginning of a much larger story, and everyone—Zoe, Cordy, Kyle, and even Jay—would have to face the consequences of their choices.